Stanford students design quake-resistant houses for Dolakha village

September 14: A team of engineering students from Stanford University of California, USA,has prepared house designs for an earthquake affected village of Dolakha district. In collaboration with Today’s Youth Asia, the university’s seven engineering students presented the 3D design amid a programme titled ‘Engineering for Nation-Building’held in the capital on Thursday,September, 13.

The students underthe university’s ‘Global Engineering Programme’presented their design for eco-conscious,cost-effective and earthquake-resistant houses. The students as a part of their Summer Service Learning Programme (SSLP)had conducted a researchin Dolakhabefore preparing the design.They said the design has been developed after identifying the needs and values for developing the village. The design is based on the utilization of locally-available materials like mud,stones and pine wood for constructionin a cost-effective way.

Briefing about the programme, President of Today’s Youth Asia,Santosh Shah,said,“Stanford University whilecollaborating with different countries for SSLP has collaborated with Today’s Youth Asiafor the first time in Nepal.” According to him,the students developed the design ofa sustainablevillageforDolakha consideringtwo major problems- natural calamities and the poor economic background of the villagers.

The design was handed over to Shanti Pakhrin,a parliamentarian from Dolakha. Appreciating the students’research and design of earthquake affected place, Dolakha, Pakhrin said the design could be used to build an earthquake-resistant village.

Highlighting the importance and role of engineering, President ofNepal-Swiss Friendship Society, Khem Raj Lakai said that the approach of Stanford’s students would help in changing the present state of the village. He said, “This design is a reference for housing constructions that will be availableto anyone any time.”

In the same programme,Architect Shirshak Baniya also presented housing design for Terai region. “There is a gap between engineers and localsof Terai due to which engineers are not being able to present the designs of national level as well.”Revealing the values of traditional housing design of Khatiya culture in Terai, Baniya stressed on maintaining the design for Terai in a modern way. The design was handed to Sanjya Kumar Gautam, Member of Parliament and former minister of Irrigation.

Speaking about the economic impact of India’s Kumbha Mela, Satyaendra Tripathi, a fellow of India Foundation highlighted the importance of management aspectsfor any great occasionin Nepal. He also handed over Kumbha to Manish Suman, member of Provincial Assembly of Province 2 and general secretary of Rastriya Janata Party.

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